Winter Forest Could Become a Southwick Tradition by HOPE E
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The Westfield NewsSearch for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019 VOL. 88 NO. 292 New police headquarters priority for Chief, Commission By PETER CURRIER Monday he had a meeting department has seen its day,” going and what we can do to Staff Writer with Captains Michael said Valliere, “I ask all three get it going,” said Otero. WESTFIELD — Police McCabe and Jerome Pitoniak commissioners to join in that The current building was Chief Lawrence P. Valliere about the state of the build- effort with me and to start the first constructed in the 1970s. began serious talks with the ing, and particularly its class- ball rolling, start the conversa- Otero noted that he has seen Police Commission Dec. 9 room. tion. It’s not going to get any other nearby departments regarding building new police He said that he wanted the better. It’s time — it’s been upgrading to newer buildings headquarters in the relatively headquarter’s classroom to be time.” or repairing existing facilities. near future. revamped by the end of the Commissioner Felix Otero City Councilor Michael Valliere said, to the agree- year, but that he does not see suggested creating a five-year Burns, who was in attendance, ment of the three commis- that happening. plan for a new building. suggested that the police sioners, that the current head- “As far as the building “We have to come up with a come to the Long Term quarters on Washington Street goes, we really need to start program where it’s on the Finance sub-committee meet- is old and outdated. He said the conversation on public table every time we have a ing in January to get the pro- The City of Westfield police headquarters located on that earlier in the day on awareness to the fact that that meeting to see how far it’s cess started. Washington Street. (File photo) Winter Forest could become a Southwick tradition By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Assistant Managing Editor SOUTHWICK — The first- ever Winter Forest Dec. 7 at Southwick Town Hall felt like a true winter wonderland, said visitors. With fresh snow on the ground and a forest of deco- rated trees outside and inside Town Hall, the spirit of the holidays was evident. The Winter Forest, as well as the craft and vendor fair, which were hosted inside Town Hall, were organized by Southwick Civic Fund in con- junction with the Southwick 250 Committee to commemo- rate the town’s upcoming Southwick Police Officer David Massai Southwick EMT Michael Perault The Southwick Park & Recreation This tree, decorated by the Southern 250th anniversary. puts the finishing touches on the Police adjusts an ornament on the Fire Commission’s tree earned an TriTown Girl Scouts, earned third Elizabeth Deedy of the Association Christmas tree at Association tree in the Winter Forest Honorable Mention at the Winter place in the Fan Favorite contest at Southwick Civic Fund said she Southwick Town Hall Dec. 7, 2019. event at Southwick Town Hall. (Photo Forest event Dec. 7. (Photo by Hope E. Southwick’s Winter Forest event. was confident it would be well (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) by Hope E. Tremblay) Tremblay) (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay) attended, but she was thrilled at its success. great how the community white, the tree featured over Association tree. The whim- In third place was the & Rec, Westfield News & “I thought we would have a really came together, and 200 ornaments, each with the sical tree – the vision of Fire Southern TriTown Girl Reminder Publishing, good turnout for it being the someone mentioned to us name of a police officer who Safety Coordinator Lisa Scouts’ tree. Located indoors, Westfield Bank, Mrs. first year, but I was shocked at after the event, it was just like died in 2019. Police Chief Anderson – included elves this tree featured ornaments Murphy’s, Rick Foy Garage, how many people actually a Hallmark movie.” Kevin A. Bishop said he climbing a wooden ladder made from the famous Girl The Meczywor Family, Terry came out,” Deedy said. “At Businesses, groups and hopes the number stays and a fire hose-turned-gar- Scout cookie boxes. A burlap Putnam, New England Disc one point, you couldn’t even individuals sponsored trees steady, but if another officer land. While participants ribbon garland was custom- Golf Center, The Mason walk through the lobby it was and visitors voted for their dies before the end of the deemed the tree adorable, it ized with the Girl Scout motto Agency, Southern TriTown shoulder to shoulder with peo- favorites. The top tree was the year, an ornament will be was also created in honor of and a giant Samoa cookie tree Girl Scouts and Southwick ple.” Southwick Police Association added to the tree. former Southwick Firefighter topper. Community Episcopal Deedy said she hopes the tree, which was coordinated “We are sending the orna- Badge #1 John McKay who Tree sponsors were: New Church. event becomes a Southwick by Police Officer David ments to the families of the died in June of this year. England Chimney Sweeps, The outdoor trees will be lit tradition. Massai to honor fallen col- officers when the event is McKay’s wife, Lorraine, Southwick Police Association, nightly through Dec. 26 from “I think the town has spoken leagues from across the coun- over,” Bishop noted. donated the firefighter themed Southwick Fire Association, 6-8 p.m. and indoor trees can and we plan on making this a try. Taking second place was ornaments that adorned the Tynic Landscaping, be viewed during Town Hall yearly event,” she said. “It was Decked out in blue and the Southwick Fire tree. Moolicious, Arrow Oil, Park business hours. N.E. Butcher Block owner ‘blown away’ by response to toy drive By AMY PORTER Determined, Alexis called weeks there as a child, and five or six. “It was heart- community service group. He “Being a high school kid, Staff Writer four or five charities to talk to this aunt Barbra was a nurse warming to watch,” he said. said she did the toy collection you never know how much WESTFIELD — When them about it, some who got there for years. “It sends the By Tuesday morning, there all on her own. they’ll put into it. When she North Elm Butcher Block back to her and some who right message,” he said. were over 120 gifts. Puza also said while Alexis went all out, I was super owner Dan Puza’s daughter didn’t; before settling on the The Shriner’s sent her a Puza is beaming with pride doesn’t know exactly what proud of her,” Puza said. Alexis, a junior at Westfield Shriner’s Hospital for wish list to post, and custom- for his daughter, who he she will be doing after high Besides the toys listed on High School, told him she Children. “She picked some- ers responded. describes as very busy in school, she has an interest in the wish list, customers are was thinking of doing a toy body that’s close to our com- “In the first three days, I school, participating in col- marketing, takes all of the also dropping off gift cards drive, he was at first reluctant, munity, helping a lot of kids,” was blown away (by the lege-level courses in Westfield photos for North Elm Butcher and cash, which Alexis is telling her how much work it Puza said. response),” Puza said, adding Promise, which gives her Block’s social media using to buy presents on the would be. “I didn’t want her He wrote on his Facebook that some customers brought hours of homework; and as a accounts, and has a “real” job to get her hopes up,” he said. page that he spent a few in bags of gifts, as many as member of the Key Club on top of that. See Toy Drive, Page 3 Young Singers of Greater Westfield plan winter concert By LORI SZEPELAK Cipoletta noted that the paniment. Correspondent choir features students in Cipoletta said the concert WESTFIELD — Students grades 5-8 who rehearse will feature traditional holi- of Young Singers of Greater weekly to develop vocal day songs, as well as songs Westfield will fill the Church skills, musical literacy, and a shared by different faiths. of the Atonement with the “beautiful choral sound.” “We will also have some sounds of the holiday season The winter concert begins audience participation for the on Dec. 14. at 2 p.m. at the church on carols,” said Cipoletta. “Young Singers has a mix Court Street. Refreshments The concert is offered free of students from different will be provided and a recep- to the public with a freewill schools, grades and towns tion will follow to meet the offering planned. who come together to cele- performers. “We invite the public to brate a love of music,” said Young singers performing hear some beautiful music Kerry Cipoletta, artistic include Noah Perkins, Jaidyn and get in the holiday spirit,” director. She also serves as Hawkins, Luke Bulan, Bennie said Cipoletta. choral music director at Noska, Arianna Blake, Ella Westfield Intermediate Hamel, Madeleine Hamel, School, and teaches the fifth Phoebe Rouse, Anthony Young Singers of Greater and sixth grade choruses and Distefano, Aaron Boyd, Westfield are seen in a recent sixth grade general music. Gabriella Pichardo and Skyler rehearsal preparing for a win- Cipoletta is also the director Cook.